So you cheat on your taxes, lie on disclosure forms (which will get you fired most every time in the private sector), take non-cash bribes, and ask for and receive illegal money to get a building at your old college named after you and you get a slap on the wrist. OUTRAGEOUS!
A reprimand is considered a moderate punishment, more serious than the minor sanction of admonishment but not especially severe: members including Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, and Barney Frank have received reprimands.
Word of the panel’s recommendation came on the same day that Congressional officials said that Representative Maxine Waters, Democrat of California, would face ethics charges that are expected to be announced next week.
On Thursday, the ethics committee released a report detailing 13 charges against Mr. Rangel, including his improper use of his office to solicit donations for a City University of New York center to be named in his honor; his failure to report rental income from his villa in the Dominican Republic and to pay taxes on it; his omission of some $600,000 in assets on his House financial disclosure forms; and his acceptance from a Manhattan developer of four rent-stabilized apartments, one of which he used as a campaign office.
The report said Mr. Rangel had shown “a pattern of indifference or disregard for the laws, rules and regulations of the United States and the House of Representatives.” It also documented the major charges.
via Panel Advises Reprimand for Rangel, Not Ouster – NYTimes.com.